Player Discussion Matthew Knies | Built for the Playoffs

[MCR74]

Cost controlled for 4 more years. Power forward who keeps getting better (even without Marner). Does very well in the playoffs. We do not need to trade him.

This should be a sticky.

Honestly, the boner to trade Knies is ridiculous.

 

[DegDrew1975]

I love Knies, and in my ideal world, we'd have a ton of other assets we can use to completely reshape the roster as needed - but I'm also realistic.

On these boards, it's apparent that Knies has that "Power Forward" shine that seems to obscure any issues in the glare. I'm not looking to crap on Knies, he's awesome - but if you're being realistic, his underlying numbers away from the top line are not stellar, he's shown (to date) that he's not able to drive a line on his own, and he's not as physical as you'd like him to be considering his tool box - especially he seems very timid for a while every time after he gets hurt.

Realistically - Knies is not the one-man answer to winning the cup. He's an incredible supporting piece, but not a make or break piece. BUT, just as this board puts that crazy shine on Power Forwards, so do some other GM's and he's an asset from a position of strength that can potentially be used to fill multiple other holes.

Also of note; NO ONE is saying 'get rid of Knies' or 'dump Knies' - EVERYONE ok with a deal is saying "Only consider for dramatic overpayment" - something that seems to get missed.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I love Knies, and in my ideal world, we'd have a ton of other assets we can use to completely reshape the roster as needed - but I'm also realistic.

On these boards, it's apparent that Knies has that "Power Forward" shine that seems to obscure any issues in the glare. I'm not looking to crap on Knies, he's awesome - but if you're being realistic, his underlying numbers away from the top line are not stellar, he's shown (to date) that he's not able to drive a line on his own, and he's not as physical as you'd like him to be considering his tool box - especially he seems very timid for a while every time after he gets hurt.

Realistically - Knies is not the one-man answer to winning the cup. He's an incredible supporting piece, but not a make or break piece. BUT, just as this board puts that crazy shine on Power Forwards, so do some other GM's and he's an asset from a position of strength that can potentially be used to fill multiple other holes.

Also of note; NO ONE is saying 'get rid of Knies' or 'dump Knies' - EVERYONE ok with a deal is saying "Only consider for dramatic overpayment" - something that seems to get missed.

The three or four concussions he's had already are also very worrisome.

Knies is my favourite Leafs player so I would hate to see him traded. But if they can get a good return I could understand why they see him as expendable. As much as I'm a fan of the player I'm a bigger fan of the team.

A Werenski for Knies trade, for example, would be a big win for the Leafs if they could get it done.

 

[Tak7]

The three or four concussions he's had already are also very worrisome.

Knies is my favourite Leafs player so I would hate to see him traded. But if they can get a good return I could understand why they see him as expendable. As much as I'm a fan of the player I'm a bigger fan of the team.

A Werenski for Knies trade, for example, would be a big win for the Leafs if they could get it done.

Only for Werenski to dip to Florida or Vegas in 2 years?

 

[notbias]

Cost controlled for 4 more years. Power forward who keeps getting better (even without Marner). Does very well in the playoffs. We do not need to trade him.

Can I ask you which playoffs were the best for him?

He's produced around a 40-point pace over his career in the playoffs.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

Only for Werenski to dip to Florida or Vegas in 2 years?

Werenski has a NMC so I would assume if he waived it for Toronto he would want to be here and be willing to talk extension... otherwise he could just force Columbus to trade him to a team of his choosing now.

 

[kevsh]

Since it's a given the Leafs are taking McKenna first overall, outside of any other moves - and I do believe Chayka will be busy this weekend - I just hope one thing: Knies is still a Maple Leaf Monday morning.

And when training camps starts too obviously, but one day at a time here. I just hope that between now and then Chayka publicly puts the idea of trading him to rest.

 

[Tak7]

Werenski has a NMC so I would assume if he waived it for Toronto he would want to be here and be willing to talk extension... otherwise he could just force Columbus to trade him to a team of his choosing now.

You may have picked up on my current distrust of American players lol.

Lots of logic to what you're saying though.

 

[Budz]

Unless Werenski says he would extend, it’s a terrible move.

 

[ITM]

The three or four concussions he's had already are also very worrisome.

Knies is my favourite Leafs player so I would hate to see him traded. But if they can get a good return I could understand why they see him as expendable. As much as I'm a fan of the player I'm a bigger fan of the team.

A Werenski for Knies trade, for example, would be a big win for the Leafs if they could get it done.

For Knies, the return can’t be “good”, the return has to be sensational. The kind of which that leaves no doubt that not trading our unicorn in that situation would have been the wrong move.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

For Knies, the return can’t be “good”, the return has to be sensational. The kind of which that leaves no doubt that not trading our unicorn in that situation would have been the wrong move.

We would need a Byram kinda overpayment.

I think it’s pretty safe to say Knies > Byram in terms of value (younger, better contact, rarer piece).

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[ITM]

With what?

 

[cyris]

With what?

Exactly. I’d value Knies much higher than Byram and without the 4OA I just don’t see how they make a trade work

 

[Phion Keneuf]

With what?

Frondell + Rinzel + 2027 1st (top 5 protected)

 

[ITM]

Frondell + Rinzel + 2027 1st (top 5 protected)

First piece seems unlikely. Second pieces wouldn’t merit Knies.

No thanks to protected picks where he’s concerned.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[Amadeus]

This would be a great basis of a trade! I'd be all for it!

 

[DegDrew1975]

Exactly. I’d value Knies much higher than Byram and without the 4OA I just don’t see how they make a trade work

Chicago has a lot of good young, NHL ready / nearly NHL ready assets.

Not being a scout, but from the outside - I think Frondell is interesting ... I'd look to pry Frank Nazar as a potential #2 C + a top D prospect (Rinzel, or another) ... I'd love the scouts input on a guy like Del Mastro ... and add some future draft capital ... it's about balancing getting young players who can contribute now while also adding with one eye to the future.

 

[LeafGrief]

Ah yes, a 15 minutes a night defenseman for Knies. Potential you see.

NEXT

 

[hockeywiz542]